Things I Think…
1. J. Vernon McGee is claimed to have coined the phrase “when you’re going through tribulations, tribulate”… I’ve been busy tribulating, thus my absence….hopefully, I’m tribulating well…
2. I think that the Scriptures tell us that whatever we’re going through, Christ will either redeem…or avenge…that’s why He said vengeance belonged to Him…
3. People choke on the notion of avenging Jesus…but it is necessary for justice to be served and righteousness to prevail…
4. Our problem, (or one of our problems) is that we’re not convinced that the redemption offered will match the suffering endured…that is why we are commanded to look to Jesus whose suffering brought redemption for the whole creation…I’m trying…
5. “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.”(1 Peter 1:6 NLT-SE)… it’s not just that I can’t do this, I don’t think I could trust anyone who says they can…sainthood is not awaiting my demise…
6. Immobility and sleeplessness both lend themselves to redeeming the time with intercessory prayer…there have been no miracles reported yet, but I will persevere…don’t you wish that every once in while you knew experientially that prayer made a difference?
7. Do a search in your Bibles for the word “perseverance” or synonyms for the same…”endurance” etc….it’s a biblical theme…and understand that one is never called to “persevere” through a good time…
8. I’ve spent over twenty years saying that the primary concern of the church is the purity and well being of the church…but when Christian leaders have the mic they always want to talk about the problems in the culture…why is that?
9. Two exceptions to that rule are Beth Moore and Russell Moore…and they are both despised by a big swath of evangelicalism…why is that?
10. Just a thought…it’s a real short jump from Christians minimizing the sins of pastors because of pragmatic considerations to minimizing the sins of their chosen politicians for the same reasons…
On Beth Moore and Russell Moore-
They both have “betrayed” their membership in the Southern Baptist Convention. The Southern Baptists don’t respond to self-criticism very well. They never have.
Beth-a) she’s female (a problem for the SB dudetheobros); b) she has a strong following; c) she questions old habits.
Russell-He can think and he thinks to the logical consequences of SB opinions and decisions. It’s why he left.
I tried being a SB for six months, but I didn’t last. It was a 100 member church, and they fought with each other all the time. It was exhausting.
“… one is never called to “persevere” through a good time…”
That speaks. Praying for you, Michael, while I feel like crap today myself.
CK,
Praying for you as well, my friend…praying for some relief…you’ve got endurance down…
Linn,
I wonder how big Beth’s following is now since she has been reviled continually for the last few years.
She’s one of my heroes…I don’t give a hoot in hell about her theology, I just see Jesus in her life.
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/19/1158194949/beth-moore-on-her-memoir-all-my-knotted-up-life
Michael,
I don’t know how her Bible studies are selling, but she recently came out with her autobiography. You might enjoy the interview with NPR that she did.
https://www.npr.org/2023/02/19/1158194949/beth-moore-on-her-memoir-all-my-knotted-up-life
I did several of her Bible studies and I really enjoyed them. Occasionally something comes up that I don’t agree with, but i think that’s true with just about every Bible study I’ve ever done.
Linn,
I bought her book…haven’t had time to read much yet, but she’s an engaging writer…
Regarding future rewards and judgments, very few pastors preach on heaven, justice or the wrath of God. It’s usually a “how to” kind of sermon. How to be more effective in prayer, how to be a Christian husband, wife or child.
No to know God loves us and sent his Son to die for us is important to know! But I wonder if a sermon on the judgment of God on sin, wouldn’t go a long way to bring correction to bad behaviors-in the body of Christ especially among the pastorate. Congregation numbers may go down if one preached on the judgment of God, but it may be a way to bring correction.
I dunno
Just my random thoughts.
Officerhoppy,
I don’t preach on heaven at all…I teach constantly about heaven and earth becoming one place where we will rule and reign with Christ.
I think an over emphasis on salvation by grace alone through faith alone has convinced many that behaviors don’t matter…
Michael
“ I think an over emphasis on salvation by grace alone through faith alone has convinced many that behaviors don’t matter…”
Totally agree with that statement.
“One is never called to ‘persevere’ through a tough time”; this made me chuckle! It is so very true that happy times seem to fly by, while the difficulty times seem to last forever. I’ve endured many trials in my life and I once heard that life is like a beautiful and complex tapestry that is most appreciated when viewed from afar. The dark strands of wool contrast with the bright strands of wool and together they provide a beautiful contrast and create a work of beauty. I know that the dark times of my life have given me a greater appreciation of the many good things God has given me. I always think of this illustration when going through tough times, because my experiences have shown this to be true.
I read Beth Moore’s new biography. It’s very good. The book is infused with her wonderful sense of self-depreciating humour, which is also evident in her public speaking. But be prepared for some gut wrenching revelations about her childhood. I knew that she had experienced abuse as a child, but I had no idea of how serious it was. Her marriage has also brought her tremendous trials. Her book is a testament to the love of Christ which carries us through the worst that Satan can throw our way.
#8: I don’t know what the source of the obsession is with changing the culture to make it more Christian amongst Christian leaders. You’d think that after SOOOO much of our dirty laundry has been aired, they’d want to look inwards first.
#9: Beth Moore and Russell Moore I greatly admire for their standing up for what is right and calling a spade a spade. I think Beth Moore intimidates those who think women should shut up and sit at the feet of their husbands all the time. Russell Moore got it right when I said Evangelicals should apologize to Bill Clinton for their two-faced hypocritical take on morality (my addition).
“I don’t preach on heaven at all…I teach constantly about heaven and earth becoming one place where we will rule and reign with Christ.”
This has been my approach as well!
Dan,
They both have stood at great personal cost.
That is what I respect and admire.
PH,
It’s my favorite thing to speak about…
That’s true Michael. I have seen it on other website…nothing but venom directed at them from fellow believers. Guess the truth hurts.
We believers still want Barabbas.
Beth Moore’s book is a very good read but it’s extra good on audio. She is gracious and kind and candidly far and away more like Jesus than any of the knucklehead SBC big name (whatever that is worth) pastors that have slandered or mistreated her. She has maintained her integrity and her testimony while all the cowardly leaders that have been so ugly to her have forfeited theirs. I am trying very hard to be gracious in what I say.
Beth is doing fine. She’s sold more books than any author the SBC has. Her gift long ago surpassed the female teacher objections. Her opposition to Trump on moral grounds did indeed cost her but the woman as a teacher of the Bible “excellest them all.”
The pagan nation we inhabit needs her kind more than ever.
As for seeing the Moores as somehow suffering … well, sign me up.
There are systems waiting in line for people of their skills.
Can’t do good things without having bold enemies and loud disclaimers. Let’s all do good things.